Bangladesh seeks India’s help for repatriation of Rohingyas

Bolpur: Bangladesh has sought India’s help for the repatriation of Myanmar Rohingyas who have taken shelter in Bangladesh.

“Rohingyas came from Myanmar seeking refuge in Bangladesh. We have given shelter to around 11-lakh Rohingyas on humanitarian grounds.”

“But we want them to safely return to their country as early as possible. I request your (India) help to impress upon Myanmar so that they take the Rohingyas back,” Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said at Santiniketan today with Prime Minister Narendra Modi seated on the dais.

Hasina was speaking after inaugurating the Bangladesh Bhavana at Santiniketan, which has been constructed with Rs 35-crore funding from Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Prime Minister showered praises on India for its continued cooperation and said that the two countries will sort out all issues through friendly discussion.

Hasina did not name the Teesta Water Sharing Agreement between India and Bangladesh that has been hanging fire for the past several years due to objection from West Bengal but it is obvious that she had this in mind while making the comment.

“The exchange of enclaves (in 2016) reminded us of the cooperation that India had extended to us during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. We will never forget India’s help. We will work closely to sort out all issues between the two countries in a friendly manner,” she said.

The Bangladesh PM, who earlier in the day attended the convocation of Visva-Bharati, said that Rabindranath Tagore and Santiniketan are not only India’s but are much an asset for Bangladesh.

“The national songs of both India and Bangladesh were penned by Tagore. Also, Tagore penned most of his poems in Bangladesh. Hence, in a sense, we have more claims over his legacy than India,” Hasina said amidst a huge applause from the audience.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his speech, praised Bangladesh for its contribution to peace and tranquillity in South East Asia. “We will continue to stand by a friendly neighbour like Bangladesh,” he said. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was also present at the inauguration.

NEWSMEN is an online news portal focused on news and views from Bengal and the Bengali / Bengal diaspora spread all over. Coinciding with the 73rd anniversary of the Quit India Movement, NEWSMEN went live over the world-wide-web on 09 August 2015.